Free Spay and Neuter Surgeries for Chihuahuas

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA released the following information Tuesday:

In an effort to reduce pet overpopulation, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will be offering free spay and neuter surgeries for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes starting Jan. 1.

Chihuahuas have become a prominent part of the general kennel population.

The new program, which is part of the agency’s Spay and Neuter in Pasadena (SNiP) program, is developed to encourage owners to sterilize their Chihuahuas, and, in turn, reduce overpopulation.

Requirements

The free service applies to Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes up to 15 pounds for residents of the shelter’s service cities--Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, Arcadia and Glendale. Owners can also request their dog to be microchipped at no additional charge. Pets must be a minimum of two months old and weigh at least two pounds to have surgery.

Pet Population

Since June 2010, PHS has developed strong partnerships with East Coast shelters to balance the population by transporting more than 200 Chihuahuas to Richmond, Va. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“This has been an ongoing trend for quite some time now,” said Ricky Whitman, spokesperson for the Pasadena Humane Society. “We’re striving to help the animals and their owners through our public clinic. This is a wonderful resource we hope pet owners will use.”

Pet Services

SNiP was developed more than 10 years ago to offer low-cost services to residents in the agency’s seven service cities. The program also provides a public low-cost vaccine clinic for cats and dogs every year.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling the SNiP Coordinator at (626) 792-7151 extension 138.